Business Ins & Outs: Garden Shop, Lugano, Z&V; Lush, Kintaro
By • July 17, 2023 0 1816
In: Georgetown Garden Shop on O
The Georgetown Garden Shop just opened at Robert Bell’s spot at 3214 O St. NW. Caroline Ervin is selling garden decor, small tools and accessories on the first floor and continuing her Landscape Design business from the lower level. Stop by and say hello. Check how this little commercial area of O Street is getting revived.
Lugano Diamonds & Jewelry has opened at 2810 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Courtesy Lugano.
In: Lugano Diamonds at Eno Space
Who knew that wine, cheese and charcuterie could lead to diamonds? Lugano Diamonds & Jewelry, designer and manufacturer of high-end, one-of-a-kind jewelry, took over the space once held by the Eno Wine Bar at 2810 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Next to the Four Seasons Hotel, the luxe jeweler was founded in 2004 and purchased by Compass Diversified two years ago for $256 million. Lugano has four other retail shops: Newport Beach and Aspen as well as Palm Beach and Ocala, Florida.
Moving (One Block): Georgetown Frame Shoppe
Because of the 2900 M Project, the Georgetown Frame Shoppe has left 2902½ M St. NW and will relocate to 2818 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, a few doors from Lugano — and between Bourbon Concierge and DTR Galleries. Established in 1989, the business is a leading dealer of fine art prints and works on paper and tells us: “Our extensive collection includes modern, contemporary, street, and pop art from blue chip and emerging artists. We buy and sell artwork from our global network of dealers and clients, in order to connect you with the highest quality pieces for the best possible price.”
Coming: Manse on O
Near the new garden shop on O, Manse, “a housewares and lifestyle store focused on carrying unique and artisan-made products” in Old Town Alexandria, will occupy the former Arlandia Floors space — and, before that, the esteemed Antiques of Georgetown at 3210 O St. NW.
Coming: Zadig & Voltaire at Former Ecco Spot
French clothing brand Zadig & Voltaire appears destined for a move-in at 1227 Wisconsin Ave. NW, the former site of shoes and leather good retailer Ecco. Founded in 1997 by Thierry Gillier, Z&V writes: “Zadig & Voltaire invents a diverse universe that thrives in the in-between. Not just for him or her, day or night, or work or leisure, the Parisian fashion house redefines modern femininity with wild, free, and rock-fueled wardrobe essentials that embody the strength and sensuality found in the rough and undone.” (The business is named after the Enlightenment philosopher Voltaire and a character in one of his novellas; look it up.)
Out: Lush
Purveyor of hair and skincare products, makeup and other fresh, vegetarian body products, Lush has closed at 3066 M St. NW. In 1996, the first Lush shop opened in Vancouver, Canada. Today, it has 269 shops in North America.
Out: Kintaro
Kintaro at 1039 33rd St. NW has closed its doors. The intimate sushi spot was 10 years old and never recovered from the loss of business during the pandemic.
Out (Temporarily): Bitty & Beau’s Coffee
The “radically inclusive” coffee shop at 3207 M Street, NW tells its customers: “Our DC shop is temporarily closed, but if you’re looking to get your Bitty & Beau’s Coffee fix, come visit us in Annapolis – just 33.1 miles down the road. We love you a latte!”
Out: 3000 M … Going, Going …
As previously reported, the rusting metal skeleton of the remains of the Latham Hotel at 3000 M St. NW is being taken down, piece by piece. It’s looks like work at the site is moving along briskly — and will soon be free of all that rusty stuff. See progress of the work up to today in the photos below.
The work is by GCS-Sigal, along with Grunley, which did the initial demolition in 2017. (The property was also the site of Michel Richard’s Citronelle and La Madeleine Bakery.)
The property owner is Thor Equities, which told the Georgetown Advisory Neighborhood Commission at its December 2022 meeting that plans call for a new building with such features as 97 hotel rooms, 9,600 feet of retail along M Street, a restaurant with expansive windows overlooking the Mule Yard providing “a nice urban design for the project.”
After years as an eyesore, the property should celebrate a groundbreaking for a new structure before the end of the year.
The work site at 3000 M St. NW on June 5. Georgetowner photo.
The work site at 3000 M St. NW on June 30. Georgetowner photo.
The work site at 3000 M St. NW on July 10. Georgetowner photo.
The work site at 3000 M St. NW on July 17. Georgetowner photo.
